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The rush to tweet

It's the world we live in. We have to share everything on social media three seconds after something happens. Even if we're not always sure the information is accurate.

ESPN NBA analyst Jay Williams is the latest person to succumb to the rush to use Twitter as a platform. He's not the first. He will not be the last.

But Williams' tweet Wednesday after news leaked that the Boston Celtics were set to hire Brooklyn Nets assistant coach Ime Udoka as their next head coach was a doozy.

Williams tweeted that Udoka would be the first coach of color in the history of the Celtics. Ah, not quite. Actually, not even close.

Udoka will be the sixth person of color to lead the Celtics. In fact, when Boston officially hires Udoka, he will be the sixth black man to serve as head coach, meaning that in the 18-coach history of the franchise, one-third of the coaches will have been black.

Williams' tweet was news to the following men:

- Bill Russell (1966-69), who won two NBA titles as a player-coach and was the first black man to become a head coach of a North American pro sports franchise.

- Tom "Satch" Sanders (1978).

- K.C. Jones (1983-88), who won two NBA titles. Jones passed away last Christmas.

- M.L. Carr (1995-97).

- Doc Rivers (2004-13), who won one NBA title.

Williams quickly deleted his tweet, but not before basketball fans across the globe saw it. This is not to bury Williams. In the scheme of things, it's not a big deal. But it's a window into a world where people are in a rush to express their opinion. Even if they are way off base.

ESPN NBA analyst Jay Williams


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